Web handling apparatus



NOV. 3, 1936. w 5 AlKEN v 2,059,979

WEB HANDLING APPARATUS Filed Oct. 2, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet l 7 If v O ATTORNEY.

Nov. 3, 1936. w. s. AIKEN- WEB HANDLING APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 2, 1955 .Jr I IV 1a INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY.

Patented Nov. 3, 1936 UNITED STATES WEB HANDLING APPARATUS Walter S. Aiken, Lee,

Mass, assignor to The Clark-Aiken Company, Lee, Mass, a corporation of Massachusetts Application October 2,

10 Claims.

This invention relates to web-handling or treating apparatus and is directed more particu larly to apparatus for drying webs of paper or the like.

The principal objects of the invention are directed to the provision of a novel apparatus adapted to carry a web, such as a web of paper, in such a way that the web is continuously fed for a drying or other operation.

The apparatus of this invention is concerned, according to the preferred form thereof, with a construction wherein a row or rows of upper spaced rolls and a row or rows of lower spaced rolls may receive a web which passes alternately over and around rolls of the upper and lower rows to facilitate the drying of the runs of pa per. Conduits or other means for delivering a drying medium to the web as it passes through the machine may be provided and forms no part of this invention.

In connection with apparatus of the type to which this invention relates, it is desirable that the apparatus be divided into sections, preferably with a certain number of upper and lower rolls in each section. The rolls of the different sections are preferably driven by a suitable driving means and there may be what is known as a dance roll between the sections with the driving means under control of the dance roll so that the speed of the rolls of one section may be regulated relative to the speed of the rolls of the other-sections, all to the end that the most efficiency may be obtained.

This arrangement, however, forms no part of this invention and is referred to only to indicate that the apparatus of this invention is adapted for use in connection with an apparatus of the type mentioned.

Experience has shown that because of varying conditions, it is desirable for the utmost eiiiciency that the rolls of the upper and lower rows be spaced different distances apart for different types of paper. That is, a certain grade of paper may require that the upper row of rolls be a certain distance away from the lower rolls while with another type or grade of paper it may be desirable to have the rows more or less of a distance apart. To that end, the present invention contemplates means to facilitate the easy and ready movement of the rolls of one row towards and away from the rolls of the other row, thus making it possible to adapt the machine for use in connection with various grades or types of paper.

With the machine made to permit varying of 1935, Serial No. 43,247

thedistance between the upper and lower rows of rolls, it is thereby possible in a machine where there are several different sections of rolls to have the upper and lower rows of one section a different distance apart than are the corresponding rolls of other sections. According to this invention it is possible to locate the rolls of one section entirely independently of the rolls of another section so that the utmost efficiency in operation is achieved.

Also, by reason of the fact that I make it possible to move one row of rolls towards and away from the other row, I can so locate the rolls that there is a rather definite length of paper in each section, which, for various reasons, I have found desirable. Since a web of moistened or wet paper is, of course, likely to be broken or ruptured as it passes through the machine, it is desirable to locate the web relative to the upper and lower rows of rolls in such a manner that when breaks do occur they will occur between the sections rather than within a section.

As a. special feature of this invention it is possible to so locate the runs of the web since it can be determined about what length of paper of a certain degree of moisture it is desirable to have in a section for the most eificient operation.

Other novel features of construction will be hereinafter more fully described in connection with the accompanying description of the preferred form of the invention wherein the numerous advantages and novel features thereof over prior art structures will be apparent. In the drawings:

, Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of an apparatus embodying the novel features of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a partial plan view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1 to explain certain features of construction;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of a nut of the invention;

Fig. 4 is a side elevational view of the same;

Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic plan view taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a sectional plan view on the line 66 of Fig. 1; and

Fig. '7 is a sectional elevational view on the line ll of Fig. 1.

Referring now to the drawings more. in detail the invention will be fully described.

In describing the invention it will be understood that the drawings are concerned more particularly with a single section of an apparatus for handling webs, such as a web of paper, and in connection therewith, it will be understood,

means is provided for delivering a drying medium to the web.

Uprights 2 and 4 are provided at the forward side of the machine in spaced relation as shown in Figs. 1 and 5 and other similar uprights 6 and 8 are at the rear side thereof. The uprights may be anchored to the floor or foundation, or held in place in any other convenient and suitable manner.

An upper forward rail I is supported by the columns or uprights 2 and 4 and a corresponding rail will extend between the rear uprights 6 and 8. Thus, the uprights and upper rails constitute a frame which is more or less usual in apparatus of this kind.

A lower forward rail I2 extends between the uprights 2 and 4 and likewise a lower rail extends between the uprights 6 and 8. A transverse member I6 extends between, and is connected at its ends to, the rails I2 and I4 at one end thereof, while another transverse member I8 extends between, and has its ends connected to, the opposite ends of the rails I2 and I4. The transverse members may take any form desired and be secured to the lower rails in any convenient manner, it being desired however that the rails l2 and I4 and the transverse members I6 and I8 be connected together in such a manner that they form a unitary and rigid frame or platform.

The ends of the rails I2 and I4 are arranged to slide up and down on adjacent sides of the supports 2 and 4 and 6 and 8. A plurality of bearing brackets 20 are carried by the lower rail I2 and I4 and then in these trunnions 22 of lower rolls 24 are journalled for rotation. Similar brackets 26 are carried by the upper rails and have the trunnions or shafts 28 of rolls 30 journalled therein.

Sprockets 32 are carried by the trunnions 22 of the lower rolls and other sprockets 34 are carried by the trunnions or shafts 28 of the upper rolls 30. An endless chain 40 is in engagement with the sprockets 32 and 34 and it extends downwardly through the lower rails so as to be in engagement with a driving sprocket 42 associated with a source of power such as a motor and gear reduction device 44.

In lieu of the motor and gear reduction 44 it will be readily appreciated that the chain may be driven by any other suitable means Bearing brackets 50 are carried by the upper rails ID at each corner of the section and these have longitudinal shafts 52 journalled therein, which are disposed over the front and rear upper rail, and transverse shafts 54, there being suitable bearing parts such as 56 shown in Fig. 2 for the shafts 52 and 54. Sprockets 58 are fixed to the transverse shafts 54.

Vertical shafts 64 have their upper ends journalled in the brackets 50 and these are threaded as at 66 on their lower ends. Gears such as 68 (see Fig. 2) are fixed to the upper ends of the shafts 64 which mesh with gears 16 and 12 fixed to the shafts 52 and 54. There are four brackets 50 one at each corner of the section and a shaft 64 at each end of the lower rails I2, each of the shafts 64 being connected to the shafts 52 and 54 as shown in Fig. 2.

Finish pads 80 are preferably provided in the adjacent inner sides of the uprights against which the ends of the lower rails I2 and I4 abut and slide. By finish pads is meant surfaces which are made smooth by a machining or other operation, this being a term well known in the art.

The uprights 2, 4, 6 and 8 are provided with vertically extending slots 82 as shown in Fig. 7. Nuts such as 90, shown more clearly in Figs. 3 and 4, have flat sided portions 92 which are slidable up and down in the slots 82 of the uprights.

Threaded holes 94 of the nuts are in threaded engagement with the threaded ends 66 of the shafts 64, while rounded end portions 96 of the nuts extend through suitable openings in the ends of the lower rails I2 as shown in Fig. 6. These rounded ends are provided with threaded sockets 98 which threadedly receive bolts such as I00. Washers I02 may be provided and springs I04 are preferably disposed between the head ends of the bolts and the said washers.

The springs tend to hold the parts snugly together, to eliminate lost motion and at the same time permit the desired up and down movement of the lower rails which together with the transverse members and the longitudinal members, constitute the frame.

As the transverse shafts 54 are rotated, and either one or both may be rotated as desired, the longitudinal shafts 52 are rotated as well so that a rotary motion is imparted to the vertical shaft 64. Then, since the shaft 64 is in threaded engagement with the nuts this affects the raising and lowering movements of the frame according to the direction of rotation of the shafts.

Brackets I88 are carried by the uprights 2 and 4 and cranks HE] carrying sprockets H2 are rotatable on shafts. The sprockets H2 are connected by chains I I to sprockets 58 of shafts 54. Thus by rotation of a crank or cranks the transverse and longitudinal shafts are rotated in a convenient manner.

A bracket H6 is carried by the lower rail and has as idler sprocket H8 engaging chain 40 to cause the said chain 40 to be held in operative engagement with the sprockets. An arm I20 swingable at H4 has a sprocket I22 in engagement with the chain which tends to eliminate slack in the chain.

As will be observed, the lower rails may be moved up and down thereby to move the lower row of rolls towards and away from the upper row of rolls making it possible to vary the length of the runs of paper or other material which extends between the rolls of the upper and lower rolls. This is desirable and necessary as when in the drying of paper for instance different grades or types of paper require that there be different distances between the upper and lower rolls or that there be more or less of the paper in the section of the dryer. The ability to move the rolls makes it possible for the operator to select such a distance between the rolls as is desirable and necessary for the particular operation being performed.

As one special feature of the invention, the axis of rotation of the driving sprocket 42 is so disposed that the lower rolls may be moved up or down without affecting the driving connections of the sprockets and chain. This is a decided advantage it being thereby unnecessary to either lengthen or shorten the chain to accommodate the position of the lower rolls, which may be varied while the apparatus is in operation.

It will be observed that the lower rolls are supported by a rigid frame construction which is guided for up and down movements relative to the upper rail and therefore it is possible to readily and quickly vary the distance between the upper and lower rolls accordingly as the position requires it.

As before stated, the apparatus is adapted for various purposes and by reason of its novel construction and arrangement is capable of many and various uses. It has however been found to be particularly advantageous in connection with the drying of webs of papers where it is desired to vary the distance between the rolls of the upper and lower rolls and to vary the length of the paper web in the section.

While I have described the invention in great detail and with respect to a preferred form thereof, it is not desired to be limited thereto since many changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit and Scope of the invention. What it is desired to claim and secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. An apparatus of the class described comprising in combination, spaced uprights, rails on said uprights, a row of spaced rolls on said rails, a platform movable up and down in said uprights, a row of spaced rolls on said platform, sprockets on said rolls, driving means in a fixed position having a driving sprocket, an endless chain engaging said sprockets, and means to move said platform up and down in said uprights, all adapted and arranged whereby the said chain and sprockets are in operative engagement while the platform is moving up or down or is stationary.

2. An apparatus of the class described comprising in combination, spaced apart forward and rear uprights, upper rails extending between the forward and between the rear uprights, a row of spaced rolls journalled on said rails, front and rear lower rails extending between said uprights, a row of spaced rolls journalled on said lower rails, transverse members secured to said lower rails forming therewith a unitary frame, guiding means associated with said frame and uprights to facilitate up and down movements of the frame, sprockets associated with said rolls, a driving unit fixed against movements relative to said frame having a driving sprocket, and means for moving said frame up and down.

3. An apparatus of the class described comprising in combination, spaced apart forward and rear uprights, upper rails extending between the forward and between the rear uprights, a row of spaced rolls journalled on said rails, front and rear lower rails extending between said uprights, a row of spaced rolls journalled on said lower rails, transverse members secured to said lower rails forming therewith a unitary frame, guiding means associated with said frame and uprights to facilitate up and down movements of the frame, sprockets associated with said rolls, a driving unit fixed against movements relative to said frame having a driving sprocket, a chain operatively engaging said sprockets, and means for moving said frame up and down.

4. An apparatus of the class described comprising in combination, spaced apart forward and rear uprights, upper rails extending between the forward and between the rear uprights, a row of spaced rolls journalled on said rails, front and rear lower rails extending between said uprights, a row of spaced rolls journalled on said lower rails, transverse members secured to said lower rails forming therewith a unitary frame, guiding means associated with said frame and uprights to facilitate up and down movements of the frame, sprockets associated with said rolls, a driving unit fixed against movements relative to said frame having a driving sprocket, a chain operatively engaging said sprockets, and means for moving said frame up and down the said means including vertically extending threaded shafts one at each corner of said chain, members associated with said frame guided for up and down movements in said uprights and receiving said threaded. shafts, longitudinal and transverse shafts and connections between said last-named shafts and the vertical shafts whereby the vertical shafts are rotated simultaneously.

5. An apparatus of the class described comprising in combination, spaced uprights, rails fixed thereon, a platform movable up and down in said uprights, means for moving said platform, rows of spaced rolls on said rails and on said platform, a driving unit in a fixed position relative to said uprights and rails, driving connections associated with said rolls and driving unit, all adapted and arranged whereby the driving connections are maintained in operative relation while the platform is moving up or down or is stationary.

6. An apparatus of the class described comprising in combination, uprights, rails thereon, a platform movable up and down in said rails, an upper row of spaced rolls rotatable on said rails and a lower row of spaced rolls rotatable on said platform, means for moving said platform up and down, a roll driving unit, driven members associated with the rolls of the upper and lower rows of rolls, a driving member associated with said driving unit, and connections between the driving and driven members in engagement in all positions of the platform.

7. An apparatus of the class described comprising in combination, uprights, rails thereon, a platform slidable up and down relative to said uprights, yielding means associated with said platform guided in said uprights and yieldingly bearing on said uprights, and means for moving said platform up and down.

8. An apparatus of the class described comprising in combination, spaced uprights having verically disposed guideways therein, rails for spaced rolls thereon, a platform for spaced rolls slidable up and down between said uprights, members movable in said platform and extending through said guideways whereby said platform is guided in up and down movements and spring means acting on said members to cause the same to yieldingly bear against said uprights, and means for moving said platform up and down.

9. An apparatus of the class described comprising in combination, spaced uprights, rails thereon, a platform movable up and down between and having its opposite ends slidable on adjacent faces of said uprights, the said uprights provided with vertically extending guide slots, members movable in opposite ends of said platform extending through said guide slots and bearing on said uprights, yielding means urging said members against said uprights, and means for moving said platform up and down.

10. An apparatus of the class described comprising in combination, spaced uprights having vertically disposed guide slots therein, a platform movable up and down relative to said uprights having opposite ends slidable in adjacent sides thereof, guide members slidable in said ends of the platform extending through the guide slots of the uprights and having enlarged parts bearing thereon on a side opposite to that on which the platform slides, and springs urging said guide members in such a direction that the enlarged parts thereof yieldingly bear on the uprights.

WALTER S. AIKEN. 

